Yoga means "union" and aims at the realization of the unity of our whole being. It is a Hindu disciplineaimed at achieving a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility. In the West, the term is most commonly understood as the physical exercises that are practiced as part of this discipline.
'Yoga' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'yuj', which means to join or to unite. Yoga has been around for about three thousand years. There are many forms or styles of yoga. Yoga is a series of physical and mental exercises that help to unite the mind, body and soul.
Although yoga is a product of the Indian civilization and has influenced all religions of the land, it is practically a spiritual science that does not belong to any particular region or religion. It is beyond the boundaries of age, size and physical fitness, as there are modifications accordingly to every yoga pose. The different poses of Yoga can be chosen and accordingly altered as per one's body type, physical condition, level of fitness, etc. Care should be taken and each posture should be practiced with expert or professional guidance in order to enjoy the benefits of the same.
Yoga if done with the correct techniques can prove very beneficial in the long run for various physical, mental and spiritual ailments. Yoga can be done at ones own pace and does not necessarily require hard physical exertion as compared to other exercises. A lot of determination and self-control is also required to follow the different styles of yoga. Yoga also means balance in life style.
Yoga is the only means through which the soul gets a link or association with God, who is the truth. By the practice of Yoga, man can control his otherwise fickle sense organs and overcome diverse vile thoughts. Yoga has such great force that, under its influence, even the elements of nature are brought to an elevated state and the right path and peace is established in the world.
The fire of Yoga burns the cage of sin that is around a man. Knowledge becomes purified and Nirvana is directly obtained. From Yoga comes knowledge; knowledge again helps the Yogi.
The process of linking oneself with the Supreme is called yoga, which may be compared to a ladder for attaining the topmost realization. This ladder begins from the lowest material condition of the living entity and rises up to perfect self-realization in pure spiritual life. According to various elevations, different parts of the ladder are known by different names. But all in all, the complete ladder is called yoga and may be divided into three parts, namely, jnana yoga, dhyana yoga and bhakti yoga. The beginning of the ladder is called the yoga aruruksa stage, and the highest rung is called yoga arudha.
Yoga is a way of life that includes ethical precepts, dietary prescriptions, and physical exercises. Its practitioners believe that their discipline has the capacity to alter mental and bodily responses, which are normally thought to be far beyond a person's ability to modulate them. During the past 80 years, health professionals in India and the West have begun to investigate the therapeutic potential of yoga. To date, thousands of research studies have been undertaken and have shown that with the practice of yogic meditation a person can, indeed, learn to control such physiologic parameters as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory function, metabolic rate, skin resistance, brain waves, body temperature, and many other bodily functions.
Yoga focuses on harmony between mind and body. Yoga derives its philosophy from Indian metaphysical beliefs. The word yoga comes from Sanskrit language and means union or merger. The ultimate aim of this philosophy is to strike a balance between mind and body and attain self-enlightenment. To achieve this, yoga uses movement, breath, posture, relaxation and meditation in order to establish a healthy, lively and balanced approach to life.
